We are writing to express our concern about the
cybercrime bill approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, which would restrict
online expression on news websites and social media. We ask you to postpone its
submission to the Shura Council and consult with media, legal, and human rights
representatives to ensure that its provisions do not infringe on freedom of
expression.

Countries throughout the Middle East and beyond look
to Qatar as a media leader in recognition of your constitution, which guarantees
freedom of expression and freedom of press, and in light of Al-Jazeera's ambitious
and expanding global reach.

For that reason, we were dismayed to read the Qatar
News Agency's description of thecybercrime bill, which would among other things prohibit the publication of
"false news" that threatens "state safety" or "general order;" the publication
of material infringing on "social principles or values;" and the publication of
information about the private lives of individuals.

We are concerned that these vague provisions would allow
arbitrary application and create a chilling effect on public discourse. But it
is difficult to analyze these provisions without the full text of the bill,
which to our knowledge has not yet been made public.

We understand your government has legitimate concerns
about criminal activity in cyberspace. But we believe that defending against
cybercrime does not require overly broad provisions that would constrict
freedom of expression.

As you know, many Arab countries have adopted regulations governing media, the
Internet, and political expression in the wake of major popular protests that
have rocked the region since 2011, including the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Oman. These laws have often been used to crack down on
legitimate dissent.

Yet some governments have taken a different course in
reaction to public outcry. This
year, the Iraqi parliament withdrew an ambiguous Information Crimes bill in light of human rights concerns. Last
month, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah withdrew a highly restrictive media bill to allow further review.

We urge you to follow the lead of
your Gulf neighbors by withdrawing the cybercrime bill, publicly releasing the
draft text in its entirety, and encouraging an open dialogue about its
provisions between your government and the citizens it serves.

Already, the Doha Centre for Media
Freedom said it
would "very much like to be consulted" about the proposed law. The center and
others have said they have many questions about the bill's potential impact on
freedom of speech in Qatar.

Qatar should affirm its position as a global media
leader by ensuring that the cybercrime bill does not impinge on a free and open
Internet, which is a necessary condition for the exercise of press freedom and
freedom of expression.

Sincerely,

Joel Simon
Executive Director

CC

His
Excellency Abdullah bin Khalid Al Thani, Minister of Interior
His
Excellency Hasan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanem, Minister of Justice
His Excellency Mohamed Bin Abdulla Al-Rumaihi,
Ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico

Share

Calls to shutter Qatari media show contempt for press freedom

June 28, 2017 3:10 PM ET

The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to drop demands that Qatari-funded media be closed as a condition for the lifting of the partial blockade they have imposed on Qatar.